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A Level Maths C1-bbi is a talking revision guide for the A Level Mathematics OCR exam boards core module 1. The programme is designed for the student on the move and can be used on a mobile android device anywhere the student wishes. The app can simply be used to listen to, or the user could actively listen and look at the images of the formula provided in context with the topic being discussed. The module reviewed included: Indices and Surds, with Problems and Solutions. Equations with Problems and Solutions. Polynomials and completing the square. Error bounds and Inequalities. Coordinate Geometry and Graphs. Differentiation.

Downloading the application is straightforward process, from Google Play and the video guide, if somewhat too long, will get the user up and running in no time at all. However I did have a problem re-starting the programme and had to resort to an uninstall, reinstall process to get it working again.

Navigating the system is fairly straightforward with a set of controls that are intuitive if somewhat squashed in landscape mode on the smaller device, this can be remedied with the reconfiguration of the control buttons through the file system. The user can use the ‘Repeat Mode’ to increase their “learning speed without working harder” (as quoted from the developer site) by just listening. The user can choose from just text or images or both combined and they are able to use the ‘Find’ facility to search for a particular topic. When the user has chosen the page they require the revision book highlights the sentence that is being spoken, each sentence is read by a different, rather robotic male or female, with a variation in the sound level, which can be disconcerting and distracting from the content. The navigation system provides the user with an up and a down arrow so that they can skip between sentences. The forward and back icons will move through the individual pages of the topic.

A visit to the BookBuddi site will provide you with a large number of claims about the ebook reader, for example they state that it will: “help students improve their autonomous data intake rate, and reduce the data output volume required of teachers, giving them more time/energy to help individual students, and so help them improve their score”. This seems to be a curious way of promoting the device and not rooted in any form of academic research. However the topic is comprehensively covered and certainly could be of use for a student wishing to dip into topics where they need to reinforce their knowledge.

This app certainly has me in two minds, somewhat similar to the taste of Marmite, you either love it or loathe it! The app has a rather clumsy interface that detracts from the purpose of the book, the use of robotic sounding voices which alternate between male/female can have a soporific effect on the user after more than about ten minutes of use and the sound volume variation is certainly distracting, the small size of the font can have you squinting to see the words. All this said, and I do love Marmite, by the way, I can see that some users may find this an ‘efficient’ way to learn large quantities of information quickly, some users will however not like it.

From the Developer

Talking equations for quick revision or self-tuition with speed and repetition control. It's like having a brain machine.
(Works Best in Landscape Tablet mode with Both Tab selected(via horizontal swipe) and if can't see Pause Button must do Screen Calibration, see (read more) below, and please turn on your sound.

this A level Maths app includes:

C1: Indices and Surds, with Problems and Solutions. Equations with Problems and Solutions. Polynomials and completing the square. Error bounds and Inequalities. Coordinate Geometry and Graphs. Differentiation.

C3: Algebraic Functions, Special Functions and Transformations, More Trigonometric Functions and Identities, Differentiation and connected rates of change. Integration and Volumes of Revolution, Numerical Methods.

C1: is free, C2 and C3 are £1.99 ex tax for both.

. Use Repeat Mode to increase your learning speed without working harder (you don't have to read, just listen).
. Horizontal swipe to choose the best view for your phone or tablet (Text,Picture,Both).
. Vertical swipe of the picture for fast page turn, or use Find to jump.
. zoom on picture screen (double tap to enable and then again for max/min zoom).
. on both screen the picture double tap will pause/play.
. Separate Notes on every page.
. Repeat/Speed/Normal mode via the S button (file Menu on text tab page), R button for continuous replay.
. Screen Calibration may be required to set the position of the control buttons especially if they are invisible, see below.

Bookbuddi is a learning program that allows for simultaneous study of images and text. A speedreading tool that runs alongside pictures enables a learner to easily understand equations that are explained to them as they look at them. There is one diagram/picture per page, with easy to follow (speed controllable) audio text, so your eyes can study the diagram, while you listen, and don't have to read. Bookbuddi makes it easy to access the whole book, unlike many online forms and texts.

Screen Calibration in Both Picture and Text mode in Landscape orientation. Goto the file menu on the text page. Insert a value in the Find textbox, then press the R button. The greater the value, the further up the buttons will be. Start at 300 then add or subtract in 100's, then fine tune in 10's. Each time press the R button. Swipe to Both screen in Landscape mode to check. This should not need to be done again once you are happy with the position of the buttons. This number should be the same on all similar tablets. Negative numbers are OK.